Policy Adviser - State Pension and Pensioner Benefits

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We are looking for a Policy Advisor to join us in the State Pensions and Pensioner Benefits branch. It's an exciting time to join! This is a high profile policy area with implications for everyone across the UK.

In this role you will be responsible for a spending portfolio that is projected to grow rapidly over the coming years and currently valued at more than <£150bn per annum. Our recent work has included: the launch of the independent State Pension age review, correcting historic State Pension underpayments, advising ministers on DWP’s annual uprating review, and reforming Winter Fuel Payments.

This is a cross-cutting and dynamic role that will give the postholder exposure to policy issues across HM Treasury and develop their core policymaking skills.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic reform of the State Pension system - reform is a long-term challenge, particularly in the context of an ageing population. We craft ways to control spending to improve the sustainability of the public finances whilst being fair to current and future pensioners and taxpayers.
• Advising ministers ahead of, and between, fiscal events on reform options that support their policy goals. Working alongside other HMT teams to ensure policies meet a range of government objectives is vital.
• Driving value for money – you will get good exposure to “core” public spending, including Treasury approval processes, seeking efficiency savings and working out how to best to support DWP in their delivery.
• Working closely with DWP and others – you will represent the Treasury in developing detailed policy proposals, offering your own ideas and helping shape the ideas of others. You will also develop a network of partners across Treasury, reflecting the broad reach of the policy area and its long-term fiscal implications.
• Working with the wider pensions team to build a well-rounded pensions strategy – in addition to the State Pension, the Government forgoes over £70bn a year in tax revenue to support people to build their own pension. Alongside private pension and other welfare spending colleagues, you will ensure that ministers receive rounded advice.

You do not need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to succeed in the role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. Previous knowledge of pensions or policy making is not necessary, but we are looking for a candidate who will bring enthusiasm and motivation to the role.

Candidate Drop-In Session

The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session to give you greater insight about the role and HM Treasury, and ask any questions you might have. If you would like to join us, use the link below to join the call at the right time.

Wednesday 2nd September 16:30

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/372567989789437?p=bMNzH8KOORbwIEMiEV

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date, please contact Henry Lowe Henry.Lowe@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

The reference to Experience above is system generated. For this role, experience is not assessed at any stage. We will ask for some CV details in your application form, but this is for reference only and will not be scored.

Candidate Guidance

Please review the candidate guidance for an overview of the Success Profiles and STAR approach, along with top tips for applications and interviews.

Recruitment Timeline

• Closing date: 6th September 2026
• Shortlisting: w/c 7th September 2026
• Interviews: w/c 21st September 2026

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.

Reserve Lists

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a role immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to provide your location preference on your application form. Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer.

If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Those on the reserve list may also be approached for similar roles at a lower grade. If you are offered a role at a lower grade and choose to decline, you can remain on the reserve list.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Candidates cannot apply to roles in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Successful candidates will be subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database. This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This also applies to those who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the database will be refused employment.

National Security Vetting

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, successful candidates will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Counter-Terrorist Check.

To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. You will be asked to provide residency information within your application form, and eligibility for national security vetting will be checked once the advert closing date has passed. In certain circumstances, for example if you have been working abroad on a government posting, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case-by-case basis once the advert closing date has passed.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.